Technology road-mapping for local industrial value chain upgrading: A preliminary framework

Local industrial value chain (LIVC) upgrading under global value chain (GVC) is investigated. Four trajectories of LIVC upgrading are distinguished: link upgrading, scope upgrading, structural upgrading, and chain upgrading. A preliminary framework of technology road-mapping for LIVC upgrading is proposed, comprised of five layers: value chain, value chain upgrading trajectory, technology trajectory, learning and innovation, and technology resources. Based on this framework, the changing trends of the drivers in GVC could be identified and forecasted to aid the definition of the upgrading objectives, the selection of the upgrading trajectories, and the determination of the technology trajectories; learning and innovation programs could then be planned accordingly, and the related technology resources could be coordinated and allocated consequently. The proposed framework can support local industrial technology policy-making and provide guidance to the technological learning and innovation activities of the local industry.